Chapter Sixteen
Will eased a moist cloth across heated skin and swallowed hard against the lump that was fast becoming a permanent fixture in his throat. He could feel the heat radiating off her from several feet away, and he was starting to worry, though he steadfastly refused to reveal it to her, keeping his voice soothing and confident as he repeated to her all their plans, expounding on them, telling her every few seconds just how much he loved her and why. How brave and wonderful he thought she was. How... well perfect. For him at least.
He bathed her face and neck, touching the cloth to her parched lips and taking what relief he could from her small sigh. She'd not regained consciousness at all, only murmured of her love for him. More and more since the fever had set in an hour or so before. He wrapped those words around himself for strength, and gave them back threefold, hoping they would give her strength as well. He'd not slept or eaten in what felt like an eternity, but it didn't matter. He wouldn't leave her side, no matter how much they fought him. Especially not now.
Merric was not giving up hope on her yet. They were well equipped medically for a non-military ship, but the supplies would not last forever, and Merric was only one man. Their arrival at the Port was still a pressing need, but at this point they still refused to panic. She would make it through this, somehow. Will refused to entertain any other possibility. He ran the cloth over her forehead again, wiping away droplets of sweat. They sprang up faster than he could tenderly swipe them. Her tongue emerged to lick at parched dried lips, so Will held her head and held a cup of water to her lips. The moisture beaded on her lips. He gently settled her back on the bed, and sank into the chair that had been placed by her bed. He leaned back, his eyes closing but his attention fully on Ruby.
Will held her hand in his and stroked it tenderly, longing to be able to do something else for her, but there was little to be done besides cleanse the wound and try to ease her fever as much as they could with cloths and prayers. Lots of prayers. He couldn't keep track of all the deals he'd made with God in the past day, and he had a feeling there would be many more in the days to come. Right now all thought was on getting her to Port expeditiously. And Jack was certainly attempting to set new records. Fortunately, Jonas was proving to be nearly as good as Jack and Ruby themselves. No matter their speed or recklessness, he had managed to stay right with them. Ruby certainly had herself a fine crew. The genuine concern they held for her made it clear that Ruby wasn't just a captain to them. Most had watched her grow from a young girl, and it was quite a sight to see men most would disdain, fret so much and work so hard to save her life. Ruby inspired respect and affection in all who knew her, even if she had no idea of her own appeal.
Will held his eyes tightly closed his weariness baring down on him suddenly. It was the sort of thing that hit when you knew that you'd done everything you could but it still wasn't enough. It burned him to think that he couldn't fight this battle for her; death was one enemy he couldn't fight for her. She had to fight that spectre herself. Any other enemy he could have conquered but in this, all he could do was take care of her physical needs while she fought that silent battle. His eyes slid open as the door creaked, his gaze meeting Jack's, who'd soundlessly appeared in the room. With surprise he took in the haggard appearance of a proud pirate. Never had he thought he'd live to see the day that the spark left Captain Jack Sparrow, but seeing Lorelei laying there, being as helpless as Will himself was, had definitely taken the wind from Jack's sails. It hurt to see his friend, but he knew he looked no better. He wished there were words to ease the pain, but he knew all too well there weren't. Not until the words "She's out of the woods" were spoken by the doctors.
"She's fitful, but still mumbling, that's good Merric says." Will muttered quietly.
"An tha' wound? Tis it gettin' any better?" Jack asked concerned. The last he'd seen it, it had been red and inflamed. Merric had had to re open the stitches and flush it out. "Ye should get some rest mate. I'll take a turn at nurse maid." The pirate captain staggered to a chair on the other side of Will.
Will shook his head. "The wound is better it seems, but the fever is not relenting and probably won't for awhile. The infection was minor, not enough to truly concern Merric, but the fever is another story. We can do nothing but wait. As to me leaving, I can't. I won't leave her."
"I didnae say anything about leavin' William. I said somethin' about sleepin'," Jack smiled tiredly, "Crawl onto that great bed, an' shut yer eyes. I'll wake ye at dawn."
Will gave no further argument. The idea of being near her, lying beside her, was too much of a temptation. He would sleep fitfully he knew, worried he might hurt her, but it would be worth it, especially if it gave her any additional comfort. "Are you sure Jack? You haven't slept either you know."
"I be sure William. I'll rest when we are finally in Port."
Will settled a hand on Jack's shoulder as he moved to stand, groaning from too many hours in nearly the same position. "Wake me if you need Jack. I'm sure I won't be sleeping all that deeply at any rate."
"Tha's what ye say now but then a day with no sleep an' a battle before tha' will catch ye unawares." Jack smiled wisdom of experience in his eyes.
"Wake me." Will quirked an eyebrow and then shook his head. "Just give me a few hours Jack and then take a few yourself... Savvy?" His lips quirked the tiniest bit and Jack's answered.
Jack's grin widened. "I'll wake ye I promise...sometime."
"Stubborn old man."
Jack laughed outright and closed his own eyes. Allowing the other man to undress and climb into bed.
Will moved as close to Ruby as he dared, smoothing her hair back once more and kissing her gently. "I love you my angel." He turned once more to Jack and grinned just before settling beside Ruby's uninjured side and settling her cheek over his heart. "A few hours Jack. Just a few hours. She loves you, you know." To anyone else the words might have seemed out of place, but for whatever reason, they followed logically for Will. Perhaps Jack too needed comfort and assurance. It was a bit disconcerting to realise that the indomitable Jack Sparrow was vulnerable, but then, a lot of things about the pirate would surprise people if they knew just how good a man he really was.
Jack spread the blanket over William and settled back into his chair. He waited until Will was deeply asleep before he began to whisper to Ruby. Words of the past, memories, shared mischief. And then he softly began to sing. It wasn't a bawdy song, but one he'd sung to soothe the grieving child who he'd rescued. It seemed to settle her restlessness now. He'd noticed the way she'd trembled, and tossed when Will had lain beside her.
He stroked her hair back when she sighed and shifted. He kept up a lulling rhythm through the night. It was almost as if he was keeping guard, anchoring her. Will slept through the night, the peacefulness of the utterly exhausted. Jack's gaze lingered on him thoughtfully. Should he tell the younger man that Elizabeth Swann had demanded too be brought onto the Maiden. Whilst part of him liked Elizabeth a great deal, a part of him also was certain that she would merely bring more trouble. He simply wasn't sure what to do. Lorelei was his primary concern, and as much as he knew that Elizabeth had been through trauma, he simply would i not /i put Ruby's life in danger.
He had a sense of foreboding about Elizabeth's decision to change over to the Maiden. Her eyes had been determined and sure when she'd insisted on keeping William company in his time of need. He'd denied her, but he wasn't certain how long he could hold out. At least until they reached Port he hoped, though Jonas had looked like he wasn't certain whether he wanted to strangle or throttle the woman. Jack had to laugh at that. Elizabeth was certainly a beauty, he could understand Jonas's dilemma, but it was becoming apparent that Elizabeth was not going to simply accept the fact that Will loved another. He felt it his duty to keep her from them for now though. Ruby's survival might be jeopardised if he allowed that dissention aboard. Not to mention this was a matter of Elizabeth's safety. He couldn't exactly blame the crew if they were to turn on her for encroaching on their injured captain's man. No matter what her prior claim to William was, i she /i had been the one to discard him, and she would simply have to live with the consequences for awhile.
Jack knew he would have to watch the situation closely. He shifted in his chair uncomfortably; it had not been designed for someone to take all night watches in. But then, he was used to worse. He looked over at Will once again, satisfied that the younger man still slept deeply. Gone was the uptight boy he'd picked up in Port Royal when he'd gone after the Black Pearl and in his place was a confident man. He'd taken himself too seriously when they'd first met, was very rigid. And now he was a man who knew his priorities, and while he hadn't relaxed his moral codes he had tolerance. He may not have been a pirate but he identified with them, felt comfortable around them and could hold his own.
Elizabeth was in for a surprise when he could no longer prevent her from bothering Will. And again, he felt for the girl, cared for her even, but she'd tossed the younger man aside and Will had found a woman that loved him for himself, a woman that was so very different from any other Will had known. Elizabeth would fight, but she could never be as much a woman as Lorelei. Ruby was truly a rare gem, and Will was a smart boy.
Even if he were tempted to go to his youthful love, eventually he'd see. Of course, he'd been wrong once in a blue moon, but he didn't think he was this time. The love between Ruby and Will was real and potent. A living force. It was the type of love that inspired the poets and playwrights to immortalize them. It was almost, i almost /i mind you, enough to make a crusty old pirate wonder what it might be like. Though you'd boil him in acid before he'd ever admit it.
Jack rose and poured himself a drink. He needed one; boy did he need one after thinking a thought like that. He needed to get Ruby well and get back out on the Pearl and away from all this mushy romance and true love. It was making him addle brained. Or perhaps he was catching Ruby's fever. Yeah, he liked that explanation. He poured himself another drink and sighed, before turning back building up the fire that had burned constantly in the room in an effort to burn out the fever. Once done he turned back to the bed. He stared at Ruby, her skin was still unnaturally pale, but there were two bright spots of colour blushing across her cheek bones. It was a good thing they'd be in a civilised trading port by the end of tomorrow, a port that actually had an Infirmary. Not to mention the crew needed time out too absorbed what had happened. They'd won a victory against the Slavers that had held Elizabeth hostage, but they'd paid a high price. And if Ruby was not attended to in a proper hospital the price would escalate. And he'd be damned before he allowed that to happen.
Jack gave Bill a small smile when the man came to relieve him for morning duty. "She is resting a mite easier now, she even seems a bit cooler, but perhaps I'm just wanting it so much te be true that I'm convincing myself."
Bill sat down on the edge of the bed, and smiled wanly in reply. "I hope it's true. How did ye manage ta get Will ta sleep?"
Jack grinned. "Didn't take much once I told him he could sleep in tha bed with her."
Bill laughed softly, "That's me boy. How is he doin'? This willnae be easy on him." The old pirate sighed, "In fact I think it's harder on William than on Ruby. He has to watch, an' there be nothin' he can do."
Jack's eyes narrowed. "Not te mention that... stupid girl. Trying to insist that I let her on board te be there for Will. After breaking his heart like that. I like Elizabeth, but at the moment I could probably throw her overboard."
Bill sighed again, mention of the girl made him furious. He'd seen the way Elizabeth had clung to William. Had seen the notes that she'd passed to Jonas so that the man could pass them on to William. They were all of the same thing, how grateful Elizabeth was, or how wonderful it made her feel to know he cared enough to look for her and that it must mean that some of his feelings still lingered. Bill had intercepted those notes and burned them. Yet he could see her youth, no matter how mature the woman appeared, she was still very young and had been fairly sheltered like all women of noble birth. In some ways he understood her need to cling to something or someone familiar. He just wished that it didn't feel like it was going to destroy Ruby if it got out of hand.
Jack shook his head. "I'll refuse her aboard the Maiden. Once we set foot on land though, the boy's going to have more headache than any man deserves."
Bill lifted an eyebrow sardonically, "Aren't all beautiful women headaches? I be sure William will know how to handle it. Besides, he will spend most of his time sitting with Ruby, if and when she regains consciousness."
"Which will not sit well with Elizabeth. She will not give him up to Lorelei easily. He should be free to devote himself to the woman he loves; instead, he'll have a harpy plaguing him. And if it hurts Ruby, no matter how fond I am of Elizabeth, I'll tie her up in the hold of the Pearl myself until Commodore stuffshirt Norrington can come relieve us of her."
"Are ye sure that it was a good idea to send Anna Maria and the Sprite to Port Royal for Norrington?" Bill asked tiredly.
Jack shrugged. "There is certainly no way I can sail her into Port Royal, and she belongs with her father. I'll have te believe that Norrington learned his lesson last time about punishing the man that rescues the woman he loves. Though, as a precaution, the Pearl will be anchored round the island in a hidden inlet." He grinned widely now and chuckled a bit. "In any case, Will says the Commodore seemed te take a shine te our little Ruby on the voyage to Haven. So long as she's back te her feet by then, she'll smooth talk him."
Bill snorted, "Ye think it be wise ta allow Norrington near Ruby when he will know who an' what she be?"
Jack blinked. "What be she Bill? She has yet te become a Pirate. Her one battle was te free women from a Slaver. So far all she is is a merchant sailor. A good respectable woman who happens te love te sail."
"An' will tha' man make the difference? She is tha' child o' pirates an' beloved by ye. He hates ye an' would probably go after her just te get at ye." Bill stared at his old friend and former captain seriously. "Will tha' man be tha type to hurt my little girl over her kinship?"
Jack laughed this time. "Ahhh... but I've saved his beloved's life yet again. And he has no idea that she even knows me at this point."
Bill let out a deep breath, "But he will. Elizabeth will no doubt be reportin' ta Norrington what happened." He rubbed his tired eyes, "What did Will say about Norrington an' Ruby's meetin?"
"That tha man was smitten. Listen Bill, Norrington hates Pirates, especially me, but deep down he is an honourable man. He'll allow Ruby te define herself apart from her past an' associations. If she decides not te pirate, then he'll be fair. The fact tha' she led tha rescue of Elizabeth will only serve te endear her further te tha man's good graces."
"I can only hope so." Bill sighed again, "How did William take tha fact that this Norrington is smitten with Ruby?"
Jack chuckled. "Not very well, even then before he knew he was hooked. Though, her not trusting him and making him out as a lovesick puppy following after the woman that deserted him certainly helped his foul mood about the incident."
Bill chewed his lip, "Quick thinking, it probably stopped more questions bein' asked that Ruby didnae want ta answer. I know it hurt Will, but I always taught me children ta use whatever came ta their advantage."
"Aye, but I think Will might have handled it too. He's no fool, and he did have the advantage of knowing Norrington, Ruby did not. It turned out all right, but it still bothers him I think to have his pride taken away in front of a man that knew him so well and could spread word back at Port Royal."
"But from tha' sounds o' it, Norrington be honourable ta stiffness." Bill shrugged and then took a good look at his friend, "Ye should go get some rest Captain Sparrow. I'll watch Ruby an' William can steer tha' ship for awhile. He has slept a full night."
Jack couldn't help it, the laughter made its way up from the depths of his belly. "You don't know yer son very well yet do ye? It would take an army of giants te pull that boy from Ruby's side. I'll be okay at the helm. I've gone much longer with no sleep than two days."
"Sleep Jack an' I know me son well enough. He cannae spend his time mopin'." Bill reached over and gently shook William's shoulder.
Will opened his eyes and glowered at Bill. "I'm not moping. I'm here for i her /i not me."
"And fer tha' next few hours I will be an' ye'll be captaining' tha ship while Jack takes a lil nap."
Will shook his head fervently. "Jack's right Da. I'm not leaving her."
Bill sighed, "Son, I want ta spend some quiet time alone with me daughter." His eyes begged Will to understand. "Please?"
Will collapsed back to the bed, torn in half. It made him ache to think of denying his father anything, but the thought of not being at her side rendered him like nothing he'd ever felt before. If she were to die, with him not there... or wake with him not there, or take a turn for the worse or better with him not there...
Bill patted his son's leg sympathetically, "I'll call you if anything happens. If she begins ta stir, anything."
Will turned and glowered at Jack. "If you'd just woken me after a few hours like I asked. This is your fault Sparrow.
"Ye were sleeping the sleep o' the dead tired Turner. Not te mention snoring loudly enough te wake the dead. Even if I had woken ye like ye asked, ye probably woulda kept dreaming oh making love te Ruby." Jack's eyes watched the young man like a hawk. He knew that his last comment would get a rise out of him. He also knew Bill wouldn't react because he'd know what Jack was about.
Will tossed the covers and glowered at Jack some more. "I knew better than to listen to you Sparrow. If anything happens to her whilst I'm manning the helm..."
"Will nothing will happened ta her." Bill interjected in a tired voice. He knew he could never stop Jack from teasing William, but it was beginning to wear on his nerves. "I wouldnae ask it of you, but Jack needs ta sleep an' I need ta spend time with Ruby. Jonas would usually take tha helm at a time like this but since he is Captaining tha Pearl I can't ask him, or I would."
Will battled with the torrents of conflicting emotions within him and clenched his fists until his nails bit into the skin of his callused palms hard enough to actually hurt. "Fine." It was the only word he could squeeze through his throat. He turned to Ruby and kissed her tenderly on the cheek, smoothing the hair from her brow once more. "I'll be back soon my love. I promise. Da will look after ye till then."
Bill was silent as Will climbed from the bed, dressed and walked out. He gave Jack a pointed look and the pirate also left. Bill breathed in the silence. It was the first time since Ruby's injury that he'd had the chance to sit with her, and reassure himself that she was all right. He followed Will's movement and ran his hands through her thick red hair. Soothing her when she began to fret.
"There, there now Ruby. Da's right here. Don't ye go frettin', just concentrate on gettin' well. We're all here; an we've got it all under control, just get better. I can't bear thA thought of losin' ye, so just put all your energy inta gettin' well okay?"
Bill sat by the bed, holding her hand in his, a thumb slowly tracing circles over the delicate skin on the back of her hand. it was a contrast to her fingers and palm, both calloused by sword play and hauling ropes on the ship. He sighed, amazed at what was noticed while sitting a vigil. He felt tears prick at his eyes when she squeezed his hand in response to his whispered words. "Ahh little one, ye brought joy ta a life blighted by past darkness."
He'd lost too many in his life. Had to say goodbye too many times to the few people he'd ever loved. He closed his eyes and prayed with everything in him for God to spare this one. He made no bargains, he didn't believe in that, he just prayed for mercy whether he deserved it or not. i She /i deserved it, and that was the important thing. She and Will both deserved a break. Those two children of his had seen as much death and loss at their tender ages, if not more, as he had. They'd only just finally found happiness. They deserved to fully enjoy that. His own love had always believed that God was a God of love, rather than a God of wrath, now was one of the times he clung to her steadfast faith. Oh how he hoped she'd been right.
Bill brushed at his eyes; he'd never held much in that faith. Saw it that men made their own destinies, whether it be heaven or hell. But how could any higher being of love let a woman who'd risked everything for a woman who could steal her heart, who'd acted with selflessness in the face of a greater sin and pain, to suffer and die. It didn't seem fair. His pondering was interrupted by a sharp moan from the woman he loved as a daughter, and he moved swiftly. He gently lifted the blankets, his eyes ignoring that she was naked and honing in on the deep wound in her side. She'd shifted in her fever, tearing away some of the bandages. There was a trickle of blood. Bill grabbed the cleaning rags, remnants of an old shirt that had been boiled, and began to clean the wound with rum; the alcohol was the only thing that could clean away the foulness, before replacing the bandages. He noted to himself that Merric would need to restitch, though Bill thought the old surgeon would want to wait until they'd reached the Port.
He leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there as he breathed in her familiar scent. She wasn't dead yet, she was still right here, and he would keep the faith in her. She'd fight this battle, and she'd win. He refused to believe anything else. "Ahhh Lorelei. Do ye have any idea how much ye are loved? Don't ye go breakin' all our hearts now ye hear? You fight this like ye've fought everythin' else in your young life. Yer my fearless girl, an ye aren't alone. Ye can do this, I believe in ye."
Another squeeze of his hand gave him more hope than all the prayers in the world. He leaned forward and gathered his daughter into his arms holding her tightly, careful not to open the wound any further. He remained like that for ages, before sitting back and cooling her forehead with a wet cloth. Time passed, minutes turned to hours and Bill remained quiet in the gathering darkness. He barely acknowledged Ruby's cook bringing him a tray of food. Though he ate hungrily, he didn't taste it. As the time went by Ruby's colour changed, the flame on her cheeks brightened, though Bill refused to panic, infections usually got worse before they got better, if they got better. He piled another blanket over her, and stoked the fire up. It was uncomfortable for him in that cabin, but it would help the fever break.
Bill started violently at the sound of the opening door, not having even realised he'd fallen asleep, and having no reckoning of how long it had been. He gave William a grim smile as he gently closed the door behind him, the younger mans words directed at Bill though he had eyes only for Ruby.
"She looks worse." Will rushed to the bed and placed a tender kiss on her cracked lips, wetting another clean cloth and pressing cool water to them soothing her in the only way he seemed able.
"It's tha nature of fevers, they get worse afore they get better." Bill sighed, his silent time with his daughter at an end.
"Jack slept half the day away. It's sunset already. We should be in port no later than sunrise, hopefully sooner. The wind was good to us today, and the sunset was as red as my loves hair. It seems we might have some divine favour after all."
Bill nodded; it wasn't anything he'd not expected. He could read the weather and the waves. His eyes never moved from his son. He leaned forward and grasped his hand, squeezing tightly, "How are ye holdin' up?"
Will shrugged. "I refuse to think about it. It's not about me, it's about her."
"Tis about ye William. Tis about all o' us. Fightin' an tha casualties affect all." Bill cocked his head as he regarded his son, "If ye are feelin' down or unable ta cope then ye can't be strong fer her. We be needin' ta support each other so we can cope, so we can all be strong. We are more together. Ye shouldn't be afraid ta break down in front o' me should ye be feelin worn down."
Will swallowed tears and merely shook his head. He wouldn't allow himself to break down. Lean maybe, but not break down. He'd spent too many years in misery to indulge in despair. "I'm scared to death da. She's... everything to me. I can't lose her."
" We are all scared William. Beyond anythin' we've ever felt afore. "Bill rose and wrapped his son up in his arms.
Will leaned into his father heavily and allowed himself weakness for the first time since he'd left England. "I feel so helpless. I want to scream, fight, do SOMETHING to keep her safe, but I can't do anything. I hate it. It was that way with mum too. Why is it it feels as if any woman I love is cursed?"
Bill closed his eyes against the plaintive tone of voice, "Nae cursed William. They both be strong spirits. Yer Ma she fought fer survival an brought ye up ta be good an strong. She was a good an' caring woman. Took care of the elderly an tha sick. Perhaps it were just her task in this world were done. If she'd not passed ye never woulda come ta tha Caribbean. An' we'd ave never found each other, nor ye'd never ave found Ruby. Every event occurs fer a reason, tha consequences be out o' our understandin'. I don't think Ruby be cursed, she is nae goin' ta die." The last was said fiercely, his accent roughening into the speech of his youth.
Will breathed deeply and nodded, though his heart still screamed. He spoke with a confidence he didn't really feel, but wished he did. "No she won't die. She's too strong to give up. She'd miss out on too many chances to drive me crazy." i 'In so many different ways.' /i
Bill clapped William on the shoulder. He could still see the despondency in his son's eyes. He turned back to the bed, "Are ye all right fer tha' night watch? Since her fevers risen ye'll ave ta stay awake an keep the fire up till it be unbearable." He gave a ghost of a smile, "Well unbearable ta all but Master Blacksmiths. Hopefully we can break tha' fever afore we have ta move her ashore."
Will chuckled a bit at just how suited he was for the job. The sound and feel was foreign and sounded a bit rusty, but he was thankful not to feel guilt. "Aye, I'll be fine da. And... thanks... for, you know, being there."
"I've missed bein' there fer ye son." He hugged his son once more, "Take care o' me girl." His voice was rough with unspoken emotions of his own. He was suffering too but refused to burden his son with more. He walked tiredly to the door, suddenly feeling old. No parent should watch their child in so much pain or worse die.
Will jerked his gaze to the door, just before it closed. "Da?"
Bill turned back to his son, half in the doorway. "Yes William?"
"Are i you /i okay?" He was ashamed that he hadn't thought to ask sooner.
Bill nodded, "Aye. Don't ye worry about me."
Will took in the greyish tint to his father's skin, the slight stoop to his shoulders that Will hadn't ever seen there, and knew that he was hurting too. He let out another laugh, though this one was hollow and lacked any hint of mirth. "Now I know where I get it from. You need someone to lean on sometimes too Da."
Bill stepped back into the room and clapped his son on the shoulder, "I won't over burden ye Will. I'll be fine."
Will snorted. "Overburden me? Did I just overburden you?"
Bill shook his head, "Nae ye didn't. Don't think any more about it Will."
"So why do you think you'd overburden me?"
Bill sighed and rubbed a hand over tired eyes beginning to sting, "Tis nothin' Will, just tiredness from an' old man."
Will stood up and wrapped his arms around his Da this time, surprised more than he wanted to admit by the frailty he felt there. "You aren't in this alone either you know. You don't have to be the strong one all the time either."
Bill squeezed his son's arm in gratitude. "I know William." He sighed again, "I've been where ye stand. I lost tha love o' me life. I can understand how ye be feelin'. I also thought tha' I'd lost a child. Tha' be a cruel pain, more so than any other I've known. An' now I be relivin' that fear."
While he hadn't cried earlier, suddenly his eyes stung. His Da i had /i lost the love of his life, and a child, and survived. He wondered if his Da knew just how inspiring he thought he was. "You won't lose another child Da. She'll make it."
"I have ta believe it." Bill cleared his throat of the withheld tears, "If I don't then I'll go insane."
"You and me both." Will paused and looked deeply into his father's eyes. "You know I love you don't you Da?"
"Aye." Bill gave his son a wan smile and one last hug. "Don't ye worry about me William. I be fine after I get some sleep. This old man can't lose sleep like he used ta be able ta."
"Then go sleep. I'll take good care of her, I promise. And I'll do the same for you that you asked of me, I'll come for you if anything happens. Promise!"
The older man gave his son his promise and headed out of the main cabin to his bed in the first mate's cabin. He sank into sleep almost immediately, his dreams taking him back in time, back to his wife.
William watched his father leave, and frowned still worried about the older man. He hadn't liked the grey tinge to Bill's skin, and the grief that remained in his eyes was almost unbearable. He eased onto the bed and pressed a tender kiss on Ruby's temple, longing with everything in him to be able to take this pain from her. He took her hand between his own and rubbed it gently. Thankful that she was as yet still alive. Petrified that there might be a time when she wasn't.
Once again he stayed by her side and attended to her. He followed his father's advice and piled another blanket over Ruby, tucking it around her tenderly. He added more wood to the fire until the room was unbearably hot. The hours passed interminably slowly, and yet they passed just the same, and he found himself a bit surprised to see the rising of the sun. He didn't even remember the setting of it really. But then, every moment since he'd come aboard the Maiden was a bit of a blur. Her fever was truly starting to scare him. Eventually Merric suggested setting her in a cool tub for fifteen minutes, him being worried also, that had been approximately an hour ago. But now all the comfort Merric could give them was to say that with the fever this bad, she would either get better, or it would be the end. Like that wasn't bloody obvious. What other choices were there exactly? Will shook his head and exhaled a breath slowly, willing himself to calm down. It wasn't Merric's fault. He was fighting tooth and nail to keep her alive. Will owed him more than sarcasm, even if it wasn't ever given voice.
Once he'd re dressed her wound, he held a cup to her lips. Hope surged when she actively drank, though she still remained out of it. When she was done she sighed and fell back onto the bed. Will stroked her hair back in wonder. The clamminess of her skin was receding, and the beads of sweat had lessened, and while she was still hot to the touch and flushed she seemed to be slightly better. He called for Merric again, and this time when the man left, he seemed to be a bit more hopeful himself. He of course was followed immediately by Jack and Bill, who they had at the helm he didn't know and really didn't care. He gave them both a weak smile, answering their unspoken questions before they could be asked. "Merric seems encouraged, the fever seems to have finally peaked for this round, but how far are we from Port?"
"Nae more than an hour or two." replied Bill, who felt Ruby's forehead for signs of fever himself.
Jack allowed himself a small smile; it was all the reaction he had to give right now. He'd let loose when they had a firm idea of whether his Ruby child would make it. Suddenly he couldn't bear to be confined in the too hot cabin and he clapped William on the shoulder before leaving.
Will leaned down, placing a lingering kiss on Ruby's lips, shivering his delight when she gave a deep sigh that was distinctly a sound of pleasure. "Did you hear that love? Just a few hours yet and we'll be in port where we can get you more help. You just keep holding on you hear me? You'll make it through this yet, mark my words." He kissed her again, the kiss briefer, but no less gentle, and then looked at his father before motioning the man to sit. "Sit with us Da."
Bill nodded and patted Will's; he perched on a chair left by the bed. He'd slept most of the day away, but he still felt older than he should. Greyer and tireder, than one who'd spend the best part of the last ten years on a paradise Island, should. They sat in silence, both men staring into the flames lost in their own thoughts.
The loud call of "Land AHOY," startled Bill from his reverie, and relief flooded him. In a hospital Ruby would have a better chance, especially away from all the diseases that could occur at sea and the distinct lack of cleanliness aboard.
Will caught his father's gaze and they shared a long moment, where they both dared to smile. "She's going to be okay Da. I believe that now."
"Aye that she is." Bill mumbled, he wrapped an arm around his son's shoulder, "Now all we have ta do is wait till Jack moors tha' ship and Merric has sent up ta tha hospital for help moving her."
Will practically bounced from one foot to another in his impatience as the next hour seemed to crawl by, then finally, there was Jack, motioning them. Will moved to the bed and tenderly lifted her into his arms, shocked by how slight she seemed even in the midst of her dreams, and he was tempted yet again, to let despair grip him. But he refused and pressed a last light kiss to her lips before carrying her topside and following Merric's directions.
A party from the hospice met them on the dock, two were bearing a stretcher. Though Will was reluctant to let Ruby go he gently laid her down. He took her hand, his emotions a tangled mess of jangling nerves, but his hopes higher than they'd been.
The white cloth of the stretcher bleached what little colour the fever lent her, from her face. Like a funeral procession they trooped up to the Infirmary. Will shuddered at that image and forced it from his mind. In a bustle of movement he and his father as well as Jack Sparrow were bundled into a waiting room, while doctors and other carers swarmed the bed. Will sighed, it was all a matter of waiting, it had all been just that but this time he had no control.